I took my car out yesterday with the top down because we had a freak (record breaking) 60 degree day here. My stock sized 18" tires were great and the car felt like it was on the summer PS2s. Though the 60 degree weather probably caused a bit of extra wear (I smelled rubber a few times ). The week before we had almost a foot of snow on the ground and the car did great too. I am a very firm believer in keeping the stock staggered setup. Best of both worlds IMHO.

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A gen-u-ine BMW eff-eight-zero with them tandem clutches in the transmission and that dad gum sun roof on the top-a da cawr.

bump to hear from any others who may have 19" snow/winter tires & live in the snow belt...how are your setups working out for you?

I have exactly the same set-up on my coupe as, M3 996. 19" stock wheels with:

Front: 255/35R-19 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 XL

Back: 265/35R-19 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25

This winter has been really bad in WI & I normally wouldn't take her out & really bad days, but with the holidays I had no-choice.

Easily drove in 2" to 4" of snow whether it was wet or dry & never once had an issue. Including up hill driving & never once got stuck or slid.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't flying around & I took it easy going up hills and starting off in deep snow, but I could easily get to A to B & never once had an issue or was concerned.

I had Blizzak's on my old IS350, which was also RWD on 18" and never had a problem either.

Great, great snow tires & I would highly recommend them. I am getting new rims in the summer as well, so these will be my winter tires.

I did not buy this car to have it sit the garage 5 months out of the year....

M3 996 Question: This just started happening yesterday does your front tires rub at all ? I heard some noises yesterday & I thought it was rubbing only on tight turns, but I've had these tires on for over a month & this is the first time, I heard anything like that.